Daily Digest 8/13/2021 (FCC Data)

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
Table of Contents

Infrastructure

Fiber on the rise: What FCC's new data tells us about broadband in the US  |  Read below  |  Ry Crist  |  C|Net
Rural broadband continues to get funding boost  |  Farm Progress
Building broadband in the infrastructure bill: The good, the bad, and the uncertain  |  Read below  |  Daniel Lyons  |  Op-Ed  |  American Enterprise Institute

Wireless/Spectrum

Court Won't Stay FCC 5.9 GHz Decision  |  Read below  |  John Eggerton  |  Next TV
Verizon and Public Interest Groups Agree on TracFone Deal Conditions  |  Read below  |  John Eggerton  |  Next TV, Public Knowledge
The micropayments mirage  |  Axios
5G’s Big Equity Problem  |  Read below  |  Amir Nasr  |  Analysis  |  New America
Sony and Mitsui test spectrum sharing in a 5G SA environment  |  Fierce
Facebook, Cisco and Broadcom launch Automated Frequency Coordination group for 6 GHz Wi-Fi  |  Fierce
Verizon expands 5G Home broadband and mobility offerings to more customers  |  Verizon
Smartphones are now normal and for everyone, which means we can ignore the hoopla around new models.  |  New York Times

Labor

Diversity in Tech: 2021 US report  |  Wiley

Platforms

Opinion: Social Media’s Threat to Religious Freedom  |  Wall Street Journal

Health

Broadband Anchor Institutions Drive Telehealth in Rural Areas  |  Read below  |  Craig Settles  |  Op-Ed  |  Daily Yonder
The ABCs of Telehealth in Schools  |  Read below  |  Craig Settles  |  Op-Ed  |  Government Technology

Education

Deadline for Emergency Connectivity Fund Applications is August 13  |  Read below  |  Phil Britt  |  telecompetitor
Cox Helps People Connect to the Internet through Emergency Connectivity Fund  |  Read below  |  Press Release  |  Cox

Privacy

FCC and USAC partner with Iowa Department of Human Services on Lifeline, Emergency Broadband Benefit Eligibility  |  Federal Communications Commission

Security

Department of Defense awards $1 billion contract to Peraton to counter misinformation  |  FedScoop

Stories From Abroad

Satellite internet firms head to India to close digital divide  |  Read below  |  Gagandeep Kaur  |  Fierce
Xi Jinping’s assault on tech will change China’s trajectory  |  Economist, The
UK’s Competition and Markets Authority may force Facebook to sell Giphy one year after buying it  |  Ars Technica
Today's Top Stories

Infrastructure

Fiber on the rise: What FCC's new data tells us about broadband in the US

Ry Crist  |  C|Net

Every six months, the Federal Communications Commission releases updated data on the respective coverage of every internet provider in the US. That includes coverage maps as well as metrics on the types of technologies being used, the number of customers that fall into each provider's footprint, and the specific upload and download speeds available to those customers, should they choose to sign up. The latest update went live recently and brings the database up to date as of June 2020. In spite of some notorious shortcomings, that FCC data is of particular interest as we continue evaluating and reviewing every major internet provider in the US. That's because those FCC disclosures force each provider to show their cards and offer us a glimpse at how the scope of their coverage is changing -- or not. As many of us continue to push our networks to the max working from home amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tracking the progress of the tech titans providing our internet connections feels more relevant than ever. To that end, here's a quick rundown of the major takeaways from the FCC's latest update, and what they tell us about the current state of broadband in America.

  • The list of the largest internet providers in the US hasn't changed much over the past few years.
  • The FCC's database doesn't include any data from SpaceX or from Starlink, the company's bid at building out a network of orbital satellites capable of providing an internet connection just about anywhere on Earth. That's because the FCC releases its data on a one-year delay, so the latest figures are only up to date as of June of last year. Starlink didn't start offering service through its beta launch until the end of 2020.
  • With gigabit speeds that far surpass most other internet technologies, as well as upload speeds that are just as fast as they are for downloads, fiber-optic internet (fiber, for short) is widely considered to be the ideal mode of connecting to the web. The problem is that it isn't available everywhere -- for the most part, providers have focused on building out fiber networks in population-dense regions around America's major cities, leaving rural internet customers out of the mix. That said, the category has seen some definite growth in recent years, particularly in 2020.
  • Upload speeds from most providers remain much slower than most customers would probably like. That's largely because fiber is really the only mode of home internet capable of hitting triple-digit upload speeds, and as mentioned earlier, fiber is far from universally available.

 

Building broadband in the infrastructure bill: The good, the bad, and the uncertain

Daniel Lyons  |  Op-Ed  |  American Enterprise Institute

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $42.45 billion in funding for broadband networks, which, if passed, would reflect the government’s most significant commitment to date to addressing America’s broadband availability gap. While I applaud making states the locus of fund distribution, I question the choice of National Telecommunications and Information Administration rather than the Federal Communications Commission as the locus of oversight. Although NTIA and other agencies have administered some broadband buildout programs, the FCC is unquestionably the federal government’s expert on network deployment. As a subdivision of the Department of Commerce, NTIA is controlled directly by the executive branch, unlike the FCC, which is an independent agency. NTIA oversight thus involves a greater risk of politics intervening in funding decisions that should be made apolitically. Also, unlike prior broadband bills, the act declines to require funds be distributed through a reverse auction mechanism. FCC experience has shown reverse auctions are the best way to assure taxpayers get the best bang for their buck. During Phase II of the Connect America Fund, reverse auctions sparked competition that drove efficiency: Areas that the agency estimated would cost $5 billion to serve were ultimately covered by a $1.5 billion subsidy.

Spectrum/Wireless

Court Won't Stay FCC 5.9 GHz Decision

John Eggerton  |  Next TV

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit won't stay the Federal Communications Commission's decision to free up the spectrum that had been licensed for vehicle-to-vehicle communications for unlicensed Wi-Fi. The FCC previously voted unanimously to free up the lower 45 MHz of the 5.9 GHz band for wireless broadband, while transitioning the remaining upper 30 MHz to the latest iteration of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications and cellular vehicle-to-everything technology. The Intelligent Transportation Society of America and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials sought the motion for an emergency stay of the decision pending the court's hearing of the underlying appeal. The groups argued that the spectrum is needed for V2V communications, including collision avoidance, and that allowing the FCC to divvy up and share the band while the court considers the underlying challenge would risk interfering with life-saving technologies. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation and the 5G Automotive Association petitioned the FCC to reconsider all or parts of its decision, in part citing the change in administration. The 5.9 GHz  band reorganization was approved under the previous chairmanship of Republican Ajit Pai, but with support from Democrats including the current acting chair, Jessica Rosenworcel.

Verizon and Public Interest Groups Agree on TracFone Deal Conditions

John Eggerton  |  Next TV, Public Knowledge

Public-interest groups have agreed to drop their challenge to Verizon's proposed $6.9 billion purchase of TracFone Wireless after the company agreed with their conditions. Public Knowledge, Access Humboldt, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the California Center for Rural Policy, and Communications Workers of America submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission August 11 withdrawing their objections to the deal, contingent on the Federal Communications Commission making Verizon's agreed-upon conditions “enforceable and mandatory.” Those conditions are as follows:

  1. Lifeline Service: Verizon commits to continuing to offer TracFone’s current Lifeline-supported services for a minimum of 3 years following the close of the transaction.

  2. Lifeline Plans: Verizon will not add new co-pays to TracFone’s existing Lifeline plans offered at no cost to prepaid customers for at least 3 years after the transaction closes.

  3. Marketing: Verizon commits to maintaining at least the same budget as TracFone did in 2020 for Lifeline Marketing throughout TracFone’s entire service area for at least 3 years following the close of the transaction.

  4. No Customer Left Behind: Verizon commits to honor the rates, terms and conditions of the MVNO agreements that Verizon is assuming from TracFone, and to provide resold voice and data services consistent with the terms of those agreements for at least years after the transaction closes.

  5. 5G: Within 6 months after the Transaction closes, Verizon will make available a TracFone service plan to Lifeline prepaid customers that includes 5G service.

  6. Enforcement: For a period of 3 years after the close of the transaction, Verizon commits to submitting a quarterly report to the Commission that includes the current number of Lifeline subscribers within the service area Verizon will acquire from TracFone, data regarding its migration of customers from TracFone’s other underlying networks to Verizon’s including the number of devices that have successfully transferred, and the availability of 5G for Lifeline customers, including which geographic service areas have access to Verizon’s 5G network and how many Lifeline customers are receiving 5G service.

5G’s Big Equity Problem

Amir Nasr  |  Analysis  |  New America

The conversation around 5G usually fails to address how it will likely exacerbate the already deep digital divide. After endless speculative articlestelevision ads, and congressional testimony trumpeting the amazing benefits 5G services could bring, there is an urgent need to inject context to this conversation. For at least the next several years, the 5G that providers tout as revolutionary will be deployed and available only in high-density and wealthy urban and suburban areas, where carriers expect to receive a high return on their investment. Meanwhile, rural, low-income, Tribal, and other hard-to-serve or historically marginalized communities will be left even further behind. To prevent the buildout of 5G networks from worsening the digital divide, policymakers should focus on providing better solutions for consumers across the country who need home internet services. The big-dollar infrastructure package being debated in Congress offers a prime opportunity for lawmakers to promote the policies needed to move in the right direction. These solutions should include spurring competition in the marketplace and enabling high-capacity broadband adoption: This could be done by constructing and extending fiber networks with open access middle-mile networks, ensuring investments are not limited to unserved areas, and strengthening Wi-Fi services.

[Amir Nasr is a policy analyst at New America’s Open Technology Institute.]

Health

Broadband Anchor Institutions Drive Telehealth in Rural Areas

Craig Settles  |  Op-Ed  |  Daily Yonder

The FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund is providing $7 billion worth of broadband and leading digital technology for two critical anchor institutions – libraries and schools. Three US Senators launched the BRIDGE Act to bring $40 billion to these and other anchor institutions. The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) opened a $122 billion grab bag of tech and non-tech funds. This trifecta of federal government largess could mean huge opportunities for rural public health; just as we are attacking the homework gap by pouring billions of dollars into anchor institutions, we should simultaneously attack the healthcare gap. For twenty years, libraries, schools, local government buildings, healthcare facilities, and other anchor institutions have been critical elements of community broadband network design, partly because these institutions can help finance many network buildout costs. But institutions’ key value is driving people to the network, and these institutions still drive telehealth access and adoption today. Telehealth may or may not be the silver bullet for public health. Yet it is a powerful tool to attack the healthcare gap between those who can access affordable, quality healthcare, and those who cannot, especially, rural populations, seniors, immigrants, the unemployed, and the working poor.

[Craig Settles assists cities and co-ops with business planning for broadband and telehealth.]

The ABCs of Telehealth in Schools

Craig Settles  |  Op-Ed  |  Government Technology

The Federal Communications Commission and the US Treasury Department are giving schools a tremendous opportunity to close both the homework gap and the healthcare gap. Though the investments are not specifically earmarked for telehealth, it can still win big if communities leverage the FCC’s $7.1 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) and Treasury’s $122 billion Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). One particular benefit is the fact that schools can use ECF money to build broadband infrastructure if none of the known Internet service providers in a particular region will do it. According to a 2019 report funded in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration, school-based health centers using telehealth grew from 7 percent to 19 percent in 2016-17, reaching over 1 million students in 1,800 US public schools. The massive opportunity provided in these programs to deploy remote broadband and laptops, build networks in unserved areas, and enhance telehealth programs already in place at schools may turbocharge telehealth adoption that has already been on the rise.

[Craig Settles assists cities and co-ops with business planning for broadband and telehealth.]

Education

Deadline for Emergency Connectivity Fund Applications is August 13

Phil Britt  |  telecompetitor

Schools and libraries have until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on August 13 to complete their applications for the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund. The program is designed to help close the digital divide by providing schools and libraries with funds to pay for the purchase of laptops and tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections for off-campus use by students, and school staff, as well as library patrons, and is available to support off-campus learning. Even if schools have returned to in-person learning, they are eligible to apply for the funds. Interested parties may use this link to go to the application overview and requirements to apply.

Cox Helps People Connect to the Internet through Emergency Connectivity Fund

Press Release  |  Cox

Cox Communications is working with local schools and libraries to help provide internet service through the Federal Communications Commission's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to help people get connected to what matters most. The ECF program is open to students, educational staff and library patrons who would otherwise lack a sufficient connection to the internet for remote learning and remote library services. ECF will provide funding to schools and libraries to deliver internet services to individuals and families they determine need an internet connection. For those receiving program approval, Cox's ECF offering will equip customers with internet service with speeds of 50 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload and a wifi modem. The ECF program will subsidize costs for internet and equipment that the FCC determines are reasonable. Cox's ECF offering will cost (per household) a one-time $20 equipment charge and $30 per month for internet service, with no term agreement, no deposit, and access to over 3 million Cox Hotspots nationwide until June 30, 2022. 

Stories From Abroad

Satellite internet firms head to India to close digital divide

Gagandeep Kaur  |  Fierce

Several satellite firms, including Elon Musk's SpaceX, Amazon's Project Kuiper and Bharti Airtel and the British Government's OneWeb, have made a beeline for the Indian market. A key reason is that 50 percent of India's vast population of around 1.3. billion is yet to be connected, mainly because of the high cost of setting up a network in rural areas with low returns spread over a long time. Varied terrain adds to the challenge of setting up networks in rural areas, but satellite is being touted as one of the technologies that can provide connectivity in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. Another area of opportunity is providing backhaul connectivity via satellite to connect the mobile towers, as only 30 percent of mobile towers in India are fiberized. However, fiber is required for 5G services, which are likely to be launched in the coming year. "Satellite backhaul in many cases is the most viable option for quick deployment and an accelerated go-to-market strategy for the terrestrial cellular players," said Anil Prakash, Director General of the Satcom Industry Association. Yet providing satellite services in emerging markets like India does not come without its challenges. such as high costs for developing countries, availability of devices, and delays caused by regulatory issues.

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Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org) and Robbie McBeath (rmcbeath AT benton DOT org) — we welcome your comments.


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